Hot take 2: Homophones & Spiritual Bypassing

Photo Credit: Arik Cardenas

So we apparently are *not* morning rave people...yet! With the exception of three of you. so brave. so bold. your presence will forever warm my heart. Mark my words--we will circle back to this and we will all dance together one day.

So, starting next week, we'll be swapping out high energy for basically the opposite. I present to you ~~~Grand Rising~~~

Join me (Emily) Mondays 7am-7:45am for a brief 30 min gentle yoga class followed by guided meditation, optional journaling, and group discussion.

Full transparency, I use the name "Grand Rising" moderately satirically.

The origin* of the phrase is vague but I've mainly heard it used in possibly problematic wellness and spiritual circles. Because "morning" and "mourning" are homophones, "good morning" is exchanged for a presumably more "positive" version, Grand Rising, because how dare we mutter a word that sounds the same as a challenging, yet universal, essential human experience. And definitely don't wear tie-dye while you say it.

Don't get me wrong--words are powerful. Language is powerful! How we talk to ourselves and others is powerful. Yoga philosophy highly emphasizes the power of sound and pronunciation. Many of us have probably heard that the primordial sound "OM" sparked the creation of the universe (as always, take that literally or figuratively). So, if you sincerely use the term Grand Rising, you keep doing what you're doing! The point is not to censor anyone.

I use the phrase satirically because I've only ever heard "Grand Rising" from people who have very little connection to the real world and, instead, choose to immerse themselves in a rainbow coated delusion, bypassing anything that may stir up even a sprinkle of "bad vibes." Low key I’m jealous, high key my morals wouldn’t let me brainwash myself, I tried :(.

It's even more comical to me that many people who I've seen preaching about eliminating "negative" energy are also those who often, ironically, do very little to mitigate other's suffering or acknowledge injustice at all. I have immense compassion for how overwhelming it can feel to try to make a shred of a difference in the world. I leave space for the possibility that maybe that's just people's way of trying to maintain a modicum of control within their own life.

On the flip side, I think "Grand Rising"--distinct from the cultural subset I personally have heard it from--sounds cute and a tad silly. I also hear the inspiration, the audacity, the bravery! What a Grand experience it is to wake up another day. Elevating, growing, expanding, soaring. Lovely things, I'd say.

Am I trying to reclaim the phrase in a way that allow us to discuss, journal and somatically process both the good and the rough? Who knows! I'm truly flying by the seat of my pants every day of my life! Hope to see you there 🩵

*Someone replied to this newsletter saying that “Grand Rising” had roots in African American culture. (Thank you for taking the time to respond!). I was curious so I did a little more research. One source states that ““Grand Rising” comes from the Bantu languages of Africa, where the word “kikandwa” translates to sunrise or dawn. “Kikandwa kie kikuu” means “the grand rising of the sun”.” There are over 500 types of Bantu languages so my attempt to google translate/fact check was unsuccessful. The website this is derived from looks anything like a reputable source, with no citations and somewhat of an unpolished edge.

Another website states “[Grand rising is] a powerful expression of identity and a symbol of Black empowerment,” yet no further elaboration. Not that I don’t think it’s true, I’m just yearning over here for more historical context than just a blanket claim! This site also does not list sources.

I browsed a number of other websites, all holding the same general sentiment without any further explanation or evidence. A lack of “evidence,” however, does not inherently discount the possibility of the phrase originating within the Black community.

It’s no secret that throughout the world, people of color have been subjugated to extremely unjust treatment, including destruction or eradication of cultural emblems. I also imagine that because many cultures were predominantly oral traditions with very little literacy, the written “proof” of such a thing is unlikely to exist.

So, to answer my final question of the initial newsletter: I am not here to reclaim anything. Although part of me eagerly wants to distance myself from my perception of problematic spiritual wellness people, the reality is that I probably resemble them far more than any sort of spiritual anarchist. I suppose the only difference, if I do say so, is that I’m always open to new information and never claim to know all the things. Perhaps with others’ insight and continued conversation, we will unravel more and more. Or, the mysteries will persist as we desperately try to grasp at something solid and unchanging.